Impulse Space
Compensation: $130,000 - $170,000 / year
Department: Avionics
Location: Redondo Beach
Description As Ground RF Hardware Engineer, your core responsibility will be to own Impulse’s ground RF hardware strategies. You will own the design, installation, bringup, and operation of ground station hardware, manage ground components of link budgets, and work with third party vendors to ensure compatibility with Impulse spacecraft radios. You’ll work with RF hardware and software engineers, test engineers, mechanical and facilities engineers, and others to meet RF ground needs across multiple missions and spacecraft. You will work on uplink and downlink hardware up to 32GHz, passive RF components, and site analysis for desense and coexistence.
Responsibilities
Own ground segment elements of Impulse’s link budgets
Work with third party ground stations to determine Impulse’s hardware needs, perform RF compatibility testing, and monitor site performance over missions
Work with spacecraft operations team to specify needs for Impulse ground networks
Conduct RF site survey of prospective ground locations
Work with RF and avionics engineers to test ground hardware RF and power components
Work onsite at ground station locations to install, bring up, and test end to end ground chains including RF hardware, baseband components, power systems, and mechanical infrastructure. Own bringup of site from initial planning through commissioning.
Update hardware and provide troubleshooting support as needed at existing Impulse ground station locations
Own the design and operation of ground station emulators in Impulse’s hardware-in-the-loop setups
Own ground segment elements of Impulse’s link budgets and provide inputs to legal and mission management teams for mission licensing
Perform link budget analysis to evaluate impact of environment (atmospheric attenuation, cloud attenuation, rain fade) on station and network availability for high frequency link
Assist with antenna range testing for feed hardware and spacecraft antennas
Conduct facilities-related design – own equipment shelter and rack layout, specify ground power systems and network backhaul, and manage installation vendors
Evaluate COTS vs. custom RF hardware for ground station system design
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
At least 4+ years working in RF test and measurement in a lab or field setting
Experience using RF test devices including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, noise figure meters, and signal generators
Working knowledge of link budget concepts (EIRP, G/T, C/N0, Es/N0, BER)
Hands‑on bring up experience of RF chains including antennas, antenna feeds, RF front end, and baseband/modem
Ability to plan and execute RF compatibility tests with a provided ground station hardware and software infrastructure
Willing to do on‑site work at ground sites and travel as necessary
Familiarity with RF and power safety procedures
Strong understanding of RF system parameters such as channel power, EVM, modulation, and bandwidth
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
Experience analyzing link budget impairments such as atmospheric attenuation, rain fade, pointing and polarization loss
Familiarity working with embedded Linux
Scripting skills in Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW
Experience with common RF protocols like SRS4, DVBS-II, and CCSDS
Experience with GNU radio flowgraph development and troubleshooting
Familiarity with satellite spectrum licensing laws, agencies, and standards
Experience testing RF devices for regulatory compliance
Experience in a startup or agile development environment
Additional Information Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the
form of stock options , and access to
medical, vision & dental coverage
as well as
access to a 401(k) retirement plan .
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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Department: Avionics
Location: Redondo Beach
Description As Ground RF Hardware Engineer, your core responsibility will be to own Impulse’s ground RF hardware strategies. You will own the design, installation, bringup, and operation of ground station hardware, manage ground components of link budgets, and work with third party vendors to ensure compatibility with Impulse spacecraft radios. You’ll work with RF hardware and software engineers, test engineers, mechanical and facilities engineers, and others to meet RF ground needs across multiple missions and spacecraft. You will work on uplink and downlink hardware up to 32GHz, passive RF components, and site analysis for desense and coexistence.
Responsibilities
Own ground segment elements of Impulse’s link budgets
Work with third party ground stations to determine Impulse’s hardware needs, perform RF compatibility testing, and monitor site performance over missions
Work with spacecraft operations team to specify needs for Impulse ground networks
Conduct RF site survey of prospective ground locations
Work with RF and avionics engineers to test ground hardware RF and power components
Work onsite at ground station locations to install, bring up, and test end to end ground chains including RF hardware, baseband components, power systems, and mechanical infrastructure. Own bringup of site from initial planning through commissioning.
Update hardware and provide troubleshooting support as needed at existing Impulse ground station locations
Own the design and operation of ground station emulators in Impulse’s hardware-in-the-loop setups
Own ground segment elements of Impulse’s link budgets and provide inputs to legal and mission management teams for mission licensing
Perform link budget analysis to evaluate impact of environment (atmospheric attenuation, cloud attenuation, rain fade) on station and network availability for high frequency link
Assist with antenna range testing for feed hardware and spacecraft antennas
Conduct facilities-related design – own equipment shelter and rack layout, specify ground power systems and network backhaul, and manage installation vendors
Evaluate COTS vs. custom RF hardware for ground station system design
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
At least 4+ years working in RF test and measurement in a lab or field setting
Experience using RF test devices including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, noise figure meters, and signal generators
Working knowledge of link budget concepts (EIRP, G/T, C/N0, Es/N0, BER)
Hands‑on bring up experience of RF chains including antennas, antenna feeds, RF front end, and baseband/modem
Ability to plan and execute RF compatibility tests with a provided ground station hardware and software infrastructure
Willing to do on‑site work at ground sites and travel as necessary
Familiarity with RF and power safety procedures
Strong understanding of RF system parameters such as channel power, EVM, modulation, and bandwidth
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
Experience analyzing link budget impairments such as atmospheric attenuation, rain fade, pointing and polarization loss
Familiarity working with embedded Linux
Scripting skills in Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW
Experience with common RF protocols like SRS4, DVBS-II, and CCSDS
Experience with GNU radio flowgraph development and troubleshooting
Familiarity with satellite spectrum licensing laws, agencies, and standards
Experience testing RF devices for regulatory compliance
Experience in a startup or agile development environment
Additional Information Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the
form of stock options , and access to
medical, vision & dental coverage
as well as
access to a 401(k) retirement plan .
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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